Watching You Sleep

I was so lucky to by on Shabby Miss Jenn's creative team this month and play with some of her awesome designs! Here is one last layout as part of her team...

Click on image for full credits

Buddy Mapping

Hi! I added a "Buddy Map" to the bottom of this front page. With just a click you can put a dot on the map, showing where you are from. It may be fun to see where people are who read my blog! :)

New School Year

I have a love/hate relationship with the start of a new school year. I love getting back into the swing of things, starting a new routine and getting the kids started in new activities. I hate getting up early. I mean really, really hate it. Colin started back with meetings this week and I've only had to get up early twice so far, but I already hate it. :) It takes me forever to feel awake and then I just feel groggy for awhile. I tend to let the kids watch (too much) tv, because I am just so tired in the morning. I HAVE to go to bed earlier...I go to bed WAY too late...works in the summer, but definitely won't this school year. We are going to be really busy this year...here's what our weekly schedule looks like so far...

Mondays: Abigail to school at 8:30

Henry to Jean's for daycare around 9:00ish

Pick Abigail up at 11:30

Pick Henry up at 4:00 (Colin will do this after school)

I will have MOPS once a month in the morning

Tuesdays: Henry will have speech again...not positive on the time yet, but I think 11:00-12:30

Colin will work at night, so long day for me and the kids without him

Wednesdays: Abigail to school at 8:30

Henry and I to Little Hands at 10:00

Pick Abigail up at 11:30

Church at night

Thursdays: Abigail to school at 8:30

Henry to speech, again probably at 11:00

Pick Abigail up at 11:30

Pick Henry up at 12:30

I work at night at 4:00

Fridays: I don't think we have anything during the day (yet)!

I work at 4:00

Saturdays: Abigail has gymnastics at 9:00

Colin works at 10:15 until 5:00

I work at 4:00

Sundays: Church at 10:30 (I often teach Sunday School or am in the nursery)

Lunch at my parents' house

Dinner at Colin's parents' house

Whew! And you wonder why I'm tired in the mornings? It's from the anticipation of my day/week! :) No, everything will be fun, it will just take a little getting used to for our routine to fall in place. I am not a routine type of mom, much more "go with the flow" so the kids will have to get used to the routine also.

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In other news...Abigail told me yesterday that she misses me when I work. I told her I have to work to make money. She told me I could have all her piggy bank money and the I could stay home with her! Sweet little girl!

She also told me yesterday "God says to love your enemies." She learned this from Veggie Tales (her latest movie obsession) so we had to have a discussion about what enemies are. We're starting to get into a couple of tough parenting questions!

Abigail met her teacher this week. It went well and she's really excited to start school. She'll do great in there. As long as she isn't too quiet...yeah right!! :)

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Henry...

He's still been tough for us. My mom witnessed it last night as he ignored everything I said to him. Then I left and she said he was perfect. Of course he was! We have been struggling with him a bit, but we'll make it!

He's been talking up a storm lately and it's music to my ears! He now says "Abb," "Abby," and "Abigail" which is deinitely cute. He also says "Why?" all the time...hmmm...think he picked that up from a certain 4 year-old?

Okay...off to do something, not real sure what at this point, but something I'm sure! I'll leave you with one picture since this is a picture-less post. My friend, April's, gorgeous daughter, Laney. She's 4 weeks old and like 6 pounds...so cute!

So Funny!

Check out this Ebay Item...

CLICK HERE

More Birthday Pictures...

Abigail's Birthday

Here are some pics from her party with a couple of her friends last week...

Hopefully I'll be back again with more pics from the family parties...

Credits: Template by Heather Ann Designs, Papers from Shabby Princess

Venting...

Coming on here to vent. Hopefully I'll be back later with a more uplifting post with pics from Abigail's birthday weekend.

Henry has been really trying my patience the past couple of days. He's been whining a ton and just downright mean at times. He really scratched Abigail's face in about 6 places over the past two days, has pulled her hair and has chomped on her. I'm not really sure why...until recently he's been very good, not showing much physical anger at all. It's driving me crazy though. Today I let them watch "Blues Clues" while I was cleaning up the kitchen after lunch. Henry started pushing buttons on the cable box (another thing he's recently started doing) and Abigail was getting upset. She yelled to me to come change it back to "Blues Clues" and then started screaming and crying. Henry had bitten her in her back.

Oh, I was fuming mad! I grabbed hit, very firmly (okay, yelled) "NO" to him and started taking him in his room. I told him he was NOT to bite and that now it was time for a nap. I put him in his crib, gave him his normal nap stuff, put on his music and left. Of course he was crying at this time. Then I heard a loug thud. Yes, he crawled/fell out of his crib. I'm still fuming at this point. I go in there, make sure nothing's broken, then put him back in his crib. I gave him a few extra hugs because I know he did just fall out of his crib and all, then told him he MUST stay in his crib and then I left.

Okay, now...repeat what's typed in red.
Okay, now...repeat it again.

Yes, he fell/crawled out 3 times. He doesn't do it gracefully either. He really falls. Until today he had only done it one other time. Maybe it's time for a bed...

Okay...done venting...for now.
I do love him though, just not liking him a ton right now.

Three New Layouts

I've had these layouts for a couple of days but couldn't post them until Shabby Miss Jenn came out officially with the awesome new products. She's having a birthday sale right now too!

Full credits can be found by clicking on the layout.

Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Wow...I officially have a 4 year old!! Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Recap of the 3 Day

Here's the long post about my incredible weekend...

{FRIDAY}

Friday morning we were up early, early, early...4:30 I think? Anyway, we were bussed to Schiller Park Woods to drop off our bags and get ready for opening ceremonies. The ceremonies were awesome and inspiring. We saw 8 survivors carrying the flags for the week and were reminded why we were about to leave on the biggest walk of our lives. 2109 walkers left Schiller Park around 7:00 am on a walk of 22.7 miles. We were able to stop every 3 miles or so to get more water, use the bathrooms (port-a-potties), grab a few snacks (oranges, bagels, chips, pretzels, peanuts, string cheese, etc.) before we headed back on the trail. The first day was hot (every day was hot!) and we did a lot of walking on trails through the forest. It was nice to walk in the forest because it was shaded, but the ground was uneven and there wasn't a breeze. The streets were also nicer because there were cops at every corner directing traffic and they definitely were Chicago's "Finest" - kept me going hoping to get to the next crosswalk for sure! :) There were a couple of cheering stations where people would have water, ice, candy and popsicles or freeze pops for us. They also had spray bottles...a wonderful relief in 90 degree heat! I hit a wall that day, probably around mile 16 or so, mom hit it around mile 19...we both climbed over it and finished strong. What an amazing feeling! We got to camp at Oakton Community College where the food tent (which was huge), tents and showers (semi trucks with 6 or so showers in each one) were all a far distance apart! We were thankful for the angels sent in the form of the Oakton Soccer Team who set up our tents for us. Kelly and I shared a tent with my mom and Kristina next door. We were so exhausted, it was still really hot, but we had to eat and shower. We ate first (to avoid passing out in the shower!) which was spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, etc. They even had a Coke there for me! :) Mom and I had blisters so we had to take care of those, Kelly had to ice a very sore leg, Kristina met up with Pete (more about him later) and we just took it easy. Oh - we also found the foot massage tent which was great! Lights out are at 9:00 which is crazy since I'm usually up until 1:00 or so at home, but I was the first one in bed that night!

{SATURDAY}

After a night's sleep (notice I didn't say {good} night) we were up around 5:30 on Saturday morning. We had breakfast (which was huge) and were ready to hit the route again. I felt really, really sick at first. I think it was the fact of getting up hours earlier than I'm used to, eating a huge breakfast (I hardly ever eat breakfast) and then starting to walk right away. After about 3 miles I was feeling better for the most part. Kelly and Kristina both had upset stomachs at some point during the day also, so I was not alone. Saturday's route was also 22.7 miles. We walked more sidewalks and streets which was really nice. The cheering stations were incredible and the morale very high. Joel, my dad, Colin and the kids were at a cheering station this day and that was awesome and gave us the energy that we really needed! It was awesome to see all the shirts that people wore..."Save the Tatas," "In Memory of...," "I walk so my daughter won't have to," etc. It was amazing. On Day 2 we also met Barry from Detroit. Barry is walking all 12 walks this year, raising over $26,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. When I asked him if he's walking for a specific reason he said because he is one man and can make a difference and this is something that will definitely make a difference. Awesome. We also walked by a house where 2 teens had blown up 125 pink balloons and arranged them in a pink ribbon on their lawn, just in support of us. Another lady brought a huge fan into her yard and hooked a hose up behind it to cool us down as we walked past. People were amazing and incredibly supportive.

My feet erupted into blisters that day. I think around 9-10 showed up. I was in a lot of pain. I had to remind myself that this walk isn't at all about me, the walk is about people fighting for their lives, going through chemo and radiation, losing the breasts and losing their lives. I could deal with blisters.


That evening we were hit with rain, thunder and lightening. We were evacuated from our tents at 3:00 am into the college because of the lightening. By the time we got the okay to head back to the tents it was well after 4:00 am and we were planning to get up around 5:00. Kelly tried to shut up the people around us, but it didn't help...I think we got about 10 more minutes of sleep...ugh.

{SUNDAY}

We learned that morning that the route had to be redone because of some flooding and that the mileage would be 18.7 for the day...giving us a total of 64.1 miles. Because of this they offered to bus people 3.2 miles to the first pit stop. We did not take the bus, but rather started walking. It was tough on my feet, really tough, but it was a new day, it looked like the rain was going to stay away and this was day 3...we had made it so far! It didn't take long for the heat to start and ended up being well into the 90s that day. At lunch mom and I contemplated taking a van to the next pit stop, 3.2 miles away, but learned they would only take us to the end. We definitely didn't want to do that, so we kept on going. We walked that day with Pete. Kristina met Pete last year through her friend, Melissa. Melissa's best friend, Pete's wife, Sherry died of breast cancer just over a year ago. This is Pete's second walk and he was in the top 25 finishers the first 2 days. He walked with us and was definitely NOT in the top 25! :) We played games to pass the time which definitely helped, we went to a pit stop where a fire truck set up a hose at the very top of it's long ladder for us to run through, we ate lots of popsicles, drank a ton of water, sang some cadences to pass the time and we made it...over 64 miles to Montrose Park on the lakeshore.



We rested awhile, doctored my blisters (14 of them by now) and waited for closing ceremonies. We lined up in rows of 8, walkers going first. We walked through the crowds to the closing ceremonies and waited. Then, dressed in pink shirts, the survivors walked. Some of them walking in the midst of struggling with cancer, some of them survivors for many years. I know that one lady was even walking with stage 4 breast cancer. The walkers saluted them...with our shoes...an amazing and powerful moment.





The walkers and crew of this 3 Day in Chicago raised 5.6 million dollars for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. With the money raised in Boston, in 2 weekends, 11.6 million dollars has been raised!

For 3 days the things I think are important in my life didn't matter. For 3 days my feet hurt like hell, but sometimes my heart would hurt a little more. For 3 days I saw just how much breast cancer can hurt people. For 3 days I felt like I was making a difference. For 3 days I was helping to make "a world without Breast Cancer...because everyone deserves a lifetime."



So...who's joining me next year??
Yes, Kristina, I said "next year." :)

{A Good Reminder}

Sometimes I need to take a few minutes and remember how wonderful a family is. I need to stop and remember how great each moment is. I have to pause to say thanks for a wonderful husband and two incredible kids. I was reminded of this tonight after a $0.99 purchase of a wiffle bat and ball. We played, as a family, in the front yard, for maybe only 20 minutes. It was wonderful. The kids laughed a ton, Colin and I teased each other with pitches and hits and we taught the kids a tiny bit about the game we love so much. It was a great time together and a great reminder of how blessed I am.

Henry's First {real} Haircut

Here's the pictures I promised of Henry's first haircut. He was great, sitting on Grandma's lap with his pacifier and fluffy the whole time. Megan was great with him - bribing him with a sucker - it worked like a charm! His curls are kind of gone, he looks a lot older...and I think he's adorable!

Abigail had the time of her life. She was lovin' life sitting in a chair, being primped while looking at herself in the mirror...oh are we in trouble with that girl!

Popping in...

to give you the link to check out all of Abigail and Henry's photos. If anyone wants to order any I need to know sizes and which picture number by FRIDAY. The prices are on Selena's website. Here is the link to the pics.

Home...

I am home. I am sore, very sore. I am exhausted. I am a changed woman in so many ways.

Be back to share more later...

Only post...

for this week I think. It's been busy and is only getting busier! I leave on Thursday for Chicago for the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk. We will stay in a hotel on Thursday night and then arrive for opening ceremonies on Friday morning at 5:30 (ugh!). I'm very, very excited, but also really nervous at the same time. My foot as been bothering me (in fact I just had a bone scan on it today), so I hope that I am not in too much pain this weekend. I'd appreciate any prayers for us this weekend! This is what one of my shirts will look like...



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In other news...I got an amazing deal on an outdoor fireplace last week. It was at Target for $249.99 and was marked 85% off...to $31!! I was pumped since we were kind of looking for a cheap firepit anyway. We roasted marshmellows tonight with the kids. Henry just wanted to eat the chocolate and Abigail's favorite part was putting the marshmellows on the sticks!

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Tomorrow the kids are getting haircuts. This will be Henry's first real haircut. I trimmed his hair a tiny bit probably about 6-9 months ago, but that's it. He really needs it cut...I won't cut all his curls off though - don't worry! Abigail will also be getting a trim, but she's a champ at the salon. :) I have suckers in my purse for Henry...bribery is a great thing! Here are front and back pics from tonight...maybe I'll get a chance to post a couple of "after haircut" pics tomorrow, but no promises.

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Here's a layout I did last night with Shabby Miss Jenn's goodies. The DST site is down so I can't link you to the credits, but I will again when it's up.

Night!

Is it Thursday?

The days kind of run together when you are on "vacation." Today is the first day that Colin doesn't have to work, so we hope to have some family time. I think after naps we have an agenda that includes the pool, take-out dinner, the beach for the sunset and then some ice cream. Rough life, isn't it?

My exciting scrapbooking news is that I get to be a Guest CT Member for August for Shabby Miss Jenn. I love her stuff and can't wait to make some layouts using her fabulous kits! Very excited about that!

Not much else to report today. I do have a couple of new layouts for you though...

Full Credits HERE.

Full Credits HERE.

Have a great day!